The word 'Art' is most commonly associated with pieces of work in a gallery or museum, whether it’s a painting from the Renaissance or a modern sculpture. However, there is so much more to art than what you see displayed in galleries.

The truth is, without being aware of it, we are surrounded by art and use it on a continual basis. Most people don’t realize how much of a role art plays in our lives and just how much we rely on art in all of its forms in our everyday lives.

The Joy of Art

You may be wondering why all of these things are so important to our daily lives and that you could probably survive just fine with essential items that were non-artistic. That is just the reason why art is so valuable! While art may not be vital to fulfill our basic needs, it does make life joyful. When you look at a painting or poster you’ve chosen to hang on your living room wall, you feel happy. The sculpture or figurines on the kitchen windowsill create a sense of joy. These varieties of art forms that we are surrounded by all come together to create the atmosphere that we want to live in.

Art and Music

The importance of art in our daily lives is very similar to that of music. Just like art, music can make life extremely joyful and can have a huge effect on our mood. In the workplace in particular, music is something that can help people set the mood for what they are about to do. If you have something hard or difficult to work on or are feeling tired, an energetic song will likely wake you up and add some enthusiasm to the situation. Similarly, when stress is high, many people find that relaxing to calming music is something that eases the mind.

Inspirational Art

Inspirational art, such as posters are often found in work spaces to encourage employees to continue being productive. There is now an increasing amount of companies using art in their offices, as well as playing background music, as it is proven to actually work in making end results far better quality.
There may be a piece of art that you own that you personally find motivational. Perhaps a print with a positive affirmation or quote beautifully scrolled on it or a painting of a picturesque scene of where you aim to travel to one day.

Pet Bed Sizing Guide

Dogs come in all shapes and sizes and while cats are generally of a similar size, they can have varying amounts of fluff and fur that can tend to take up a little extra space in a bed.

So what is the perfect sized snuggle zone to ensure your pet has wonderful dreams?

Following on from our previous article Essential Supplies for First Time Pet Owners, we spoke to Andrew of D&C Lifestyle to find out what size bed will work best for which sized pooches and kitty’s.

Below are Andrew’s recommendations.

Dog Bed Sizing Guide

It is common for a dog to curl up in one spot when asleep. This ensures that they feel safe and protected. The ideal bed might be a round bed with site padding for them to curl up against - this gives them extra padding to rest their head.

The other style of bed is the square bed either as a cushion or with protective sides which gives them a sense of security and warmth.

Dogs may be classified as small, medium, large or extra-large.

Small Dogs

Small dogs weigh anywhere between 1 to 10 kg and the recommended that size would be 60 cm x 45 cm

Small Dog Breeds

Beagle

Bichon...

Finding the perfect sized bed for your beloved pet can be tricky.

Dogs come in all shapes and sizes and while cats are generally of a similar size, they can have varying amounts of fluff and fur that can tend to take up a little extra space in a bed.

So what is the perfect sized snuggle zone to ensure your pet has wonderful dreams?

Following on from our previous article Essential Supplies for First Time Pet Owners, we spoke to Andrew of D&C Lifestyle to find out what size bed will work best for which sized pooches and kitty’s.

Below are Andrew’s recommendations.

Dog Bed Sizing Guide

It is common for a dog to curl up in one spot when asleep. This ensures that they feel safe and protected. The ideal bed might be a round bed with site padding for them to curl up against - this gives them extra padding to rest their head.

The other style of bed is the square bed either as a cushion or with protective sides which gives them a sense of security and warmth.

Dogs may be classified as small, medium, large or extra-large.

Small Dogs

Small dogs weigh anywhere between 1 to 10 kg and the recommended that size would be 60 cm x 45 cm

Small Dog Breeds

Beagle

Bichon Frise

Boston Terrier

Chihuahua

Dachshund

French Bulldog

Jack Russel

Maltese

Pomeranian

Yorkshire Terrier

Medium Dogs

Medium dogs would weigh between 10 to 25 kg. The typical bed size would be around 70 cm x 55cm

Medium Dog Breeds

Australian Cattle Dog

Australian Shepard

Border Collie

Chinese Shar-Pei

Chow Chow

Dalmatian

Medium Poodle

Pointer

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Whippet

Large Dogs

Large dogs could be classified as weighing 25kg to 35kg Their beds measure around 90 cm x 60 cm

Large Dog Breeds

Afghan Hound

Boxer

Golden Retriever

German Shepard

German Shorthaired Pointer

Labrador Retriever

Old English Sheep Dog

Rottweiler

Standard Poodle

Extra Large Dogs

Extra-large dogs would weigh in excess 40 kg and beds could be in excess of 100 cm by 65 cm

Extra Large Dog Breeds

Bernease Mountain Dog

Great Dane

Great Pyrenees

Greyhound

Irish Wolfhound

Leonberger

Mastiff

New Foundland

Scottish Deerhound

St. Bernard

Below is a selection of our most popular and best selling doggy beds.

Cat Bed Sizing Guide

Cats may be classified in two sizes – normal and huge.

As most cats are a standard size, their beds are generally around 40-50cm in diameter…the saying ‘one size fits all” has never been truer. Cats always curl up so they fit into smaller places than you think.

However, the one exception is the Main Coon cat who will need a much larger litter box, a sturdy cat tree and a bigger bed. A Main Coon cate can reach 25 – 40 cm long and 20 – 35cm tall. While they could fit into a bed 30 x 50cm, you could always opt for a medium size dog bed.

It is also a good practice to ensure that the bed has protection for them….they prefer to be in warm, secure places away from busy areas, perched above the ground and offering security from passing activity.

Cat Pods offer the perfect recluse for a standard sized but may not be suitable for an extra-large one. Baskets with walls are also appealing.

Check out some of our gorgeous and most popular cat beds below.

READ MORE: New Pet Parents - Essentials for 1st time Fur Baby Owners.

We would like to thank the following retailers who's lovely pet products feature in this article.

D&C Lifestyle

Co.Co

Simple Form

Sebastian Says

Suki McMaster

Pickawall

We hope you found this article helpful. If you are ready to start building your wish list of products, then be sure to check out our Pet Furniture & Accessories product ranges.

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How to Arrange Art

"People have a tendency to hang art too high," says Linda Crisolo, Art.com director of merchandising. "The center of the image should be at eye level." In living rooms, people are usually sitting, so artwork should be lower. A good way to ensure you're placing artwork at the right height is to hang it one hand width above the sofa.

A common problem when hanging artwork above a sofa or sideboard is that it's not in scale. Having pieces that are too small or too large will make the whole arrangement look strange. "Make sure artwork is at least two-thirds the size of the sofa or sideboard," Crisolo says. "For example, a 9-foot-long sofa should have a 6-foot-wide expanse of art above it."

In the bedroom, choose personal art, such as family photographs or your own photography. If you're arranging the pieces in groupings, Crisolo recommends sticking with one color theme, either all black-and-white or all color photographs.

"Above a mantel or fireplace is the perfect place to layer pieces," Crisolo says. "A house looks like a home when you can see layers of artwork and accessories."

In the kitchen, hang art in a place where it won't get damaged by water or heat. Consider placing art above an office space, near the dining table, or above open counter space.
Crisolo also recommends avoiding kitchen art in the kitchen. "I tend to shy away from pictures of asparagus in the kitchen," she says. "Vintage art with traditional frames works in a traditional kitchen. In a modern kitchen, try bright colors with stainless-steel frames."

A symmetrical arrangement creates a striking and simple focal point. All-white frames and mats unify this grouping. "I like to use the same frames to create homogeny," says Crisolo.

When deciding where to hang images in your home, consider the wall space available and the arrangement of the room. "Use small pieces between windows and doors," Crisolo says. "If small items are in a space too large, the pieces look lost. With larger pieces, allow room for people to step back and admire the work."

Artwork collaborates with other accessories and decor to create a visual story. Make sure images, moldings, and shelves all work together. "Hang artwork in front of a bookcase, on the face of the shelf," Crisolo says. "The shelves and ledges become part of a decorating story."

Make sure your arrangement matches your decorating style. "Symmetrical arrangements are more traditional or formal. Asymmetrical is modern," Crisolo says. "Also look at the image and style of the frame. For cottage-style rooms, stick with vintage images or botanicals. In modern rooms, choose large and abstract pieces."